12/9/09

Lately I've been giving you a lot of baked sweet nothings. That term sweet nothings can be taken so many ways can't it? I find it ironic that I am giving you food ideas on what to make to give as gifts for the holidays when I haven't even started. Yes, I haven't even started. Tell me I'm not alone (lie)? The only thing I can say that is halfway done are the Christmas cards-- half people, half. I still haven't a clue on what to make for holiday gifts for my friends and clients. Wouldn't it be awful if I gave them gifts and no food? Oh the horror! I think I would get a lot of sad, almost on the edge of tears, phone calls. Ha ha, I would never do that. I love to make foodie-gifts just simply for the mere pleasure of their facial expressions of pure happiness. That makes all the slaving in the kitchen soooo worth it you know?Last year I made a version of poor man's toffeethat was a huge hit. People are asking for it again, but I hate giving the same thing. I might just give these chocolate-caramel tarts. They are very easy, and I used a shortcut too. I bought the pre-made shell tarts from Whole Foods. I just didn't have the time to make the tarts by hand. I know, bad, but I am so strapped for time these days. If you don't want to buy the tarts you could easily make a cookie-crust that would be perfect--like crushed Oreo's?

So what foodie gifts are you giving this holiday season?

chocolate-caramel tarts

Take some pre-made mini chocolate or vanilla tarts, chill a bit in fridge. Take some melted caramel and fill tarts halfway, add in a roasted macadamia nut or two, chill in fridge until caramel is set. Then pour melted dark or milk chocolate to the top, let set. You could literally add in whatever you like: peanut butter, white chocolate, peanuts, almonds...endless possibilities.

These turned out so pretty! Ah the pressures of gifts! I am giving a few foodie gifts this year- granolas, walnut pumpkin bread (to my parents who adored the last loaf I made for them), cookies and mini muffins to neighbors. Maybe some popcorn balls. All good stuff

I would be so happy to receive these as a holiday gift! I am done with my shopping, which is rare for me, but now I get the time to relax and actually enjoy it all! Get done so we can call each other with a glass of wine in our hands....and a couple of these :)

I better be on your holiday baking list!! LOL...I don't really get in to the whole holiday treats list, although I may make one or two things this weekend. I have to do one for Secret Santa and that's about it. Loving these tarts and I'll keep your secret about the premade shells.

I have not stared either and I am NOT lying. I do have most shopping done but No wrapping, NO cards, No cooking, and No baking done. I think I will do Happy New Year cards this year and Himself is making homemade peanut butter for everyone in his office which takes some pressure off of me. I do like to give homemade kitchen gifts and this year will be doing my Hot Cocoa Pods for a cookie exchange instead of cookies. I am a nonconformist. Hehe!

I love that you gave a great gift idea, with a basic skeleton for how to put it together, and then some variations to springboard from there. That way anyone can tailor this recipe to fit their style or that of the recipient (or both). Nicely done. Plus? I want to lick the screen.

YUM is right! I just did something similar with some leftover sables dough from our TWD this week!And I'm in the same boat--nothing done, don't know what I'm giving out yet. And you're a step ahead of me--NO cards done! ;) Love the nut in the middle.

about vanilla sugar blog

Unique eats, creative recipes, as simple as possible.What drives me to create? Seeing dishes in restaurants, meals created on TV, recipes in cookbooks/online, and I always think to myself why didn’t they add this or why did they leave out that? Love to question, love to research, and love to learn about combining different flavors and textures in recipes.Recipe creations please email: vanillasugarblog@aol.com